Chapter Text
The Netherworld:
The lava bubbled, casting an eerie glow on the jagged rocks. Betrayus floated around his throne room like he was pacing back and forth; irritated. He’d called for Buttler almost 10 minutes ago! Where WAS he?! The fire ghost stopped and listened. Everything was quiet. Too quiet… Floating over to his balcony, he looked out over his flaming kingdom. Odd. He didn’t see ANYBODY. Betrayus ignited into a raging fireball. “WHERE IS EVERYBODY?!!” The ghost king's gaze snapped to the giant television screen in front of his throne. He needed to make a call…
After dialing the correct number, the sound of a phone ringing echoed through the empty chamber. Betrayus intently watched as the TV screen flickered to life, showing Dr. B on the other side. The angle of the camera implied that the video call was being answered by a device on his robot arms wrist. Nothing out of the usual there- it was typically like that if he wasn’t in his lab. However, the bright blue backdrop behind him instantly made Betrayus raise an eyebrow. “Doctor…?” He greeted in suspicion. “Where are you right now?! As a matter of fact... where is ANYBODY!?! I expect a good explanation for this!!!”
The scientist rolled his eyes on the other end of the screen. “Oh, apologies, your lordship- but I zink’ you’re forgetting what day it is.”
Betrayus glared, ruby eyes scanning the other specter. “No… enlighten me.”
Dr. B opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by a large beach ball knocking him over. The communicator on his wrist dropped into the sand, angling so the beach behind him could be seen. Several ghosts and pacworlders were frolicking on it and in the waves beyond. Scrambling, the scientist grabbed and repositioned it. Unfortunately, the damage was already done. Betrayus ignited his fist, aiming the flaming claws at the monitor. “I DEMANDED AN EXPLANATION EARLIER, DOCTOR, AND I WANT IT NOW!!!”
The ghost groaned. “Zit’ is a national holiday, you incompetent fool!... You know-? Ze’ weekend of vacation? It only happens once every five years.”
Betrayus slowly lowered his claws, but kept his furious gaze. Yes, he knew about this, obviously. There had been times where his family had participated in an all out vacation for it. And of course there were several times where he was left at home during them… Kind of like he was now- which didn’t sit right with him at all and added to his fury. “I never gave ANY of you permission to leave like this!”
Dr. B Snickered on the other end of the call. “Oh, but your lordship- you did just that last night.”
WHAT?! HE NEVER-?! Just then, With the press of a button, the screen changed to a video of Betrayus saying that all the ghosts had the following days off. Well in reality, it was slugcam footage of him saying something completely different from several months ago, but it was spliced together to make it sound like he’d said that. Forgery! Why, that lying, vile…
“Besides,” The Dr. continued, “-zit’s the rule that every sentient being in Pacworld can participate! After being locked away for so long, we can finally fly to the surface and that rule applies! It’s the one weekend a year where no one would question zit.”
“And you DARE go on vacation without ME?!” Trayus snapped.
Just then, Buttler yanked his brother’s arm, aiming the camera towards himself. “No disrespect, my liege, but it wouldn’t be a vacation if you were bossing us around over here. Without you, it’s quite peaceful. Everyone and their mother are relaxing today… even the Pac-Man.” The camera angle shifted again, now showing the live feed of Pac and his friends playing volleyball. “I’m quite enjoying myself.”
Betrayus snarled. “WELL THEN WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! GET HIM!”
“Sorry Lord Betrayus, but that would mess with our vacation time. We’re calling ‘zit a truce for now.”
The Netherworld king roared. “YOU EITHER GET THAT OVERGROWN LEMON OR YOU GET YOUR ECTOPLASMIC BUTTS BACK OVER HERE THIS INSTANT!!!” But before anything else can be said, the twins waved and the transmission cut out. This was absolutely ridiculous!! They really dared to hang up on HIM?!! WHY, HE’D JUST… wait. “Slugcam 12!” He beckoned. “I need you for a special mission!”
Nothing.
Betrayus zoomed over to the location on the back wall where the slugcam typically sat. it wasn’t there, and instead, a note took its place. “Dear master-“ Trayus read. “The law says every sentient bein-..OH FOR THE LOVE OF!!!” He cursed as he crinkled up the note and incinerated it in his palm. That was it!! He was about to track them down and burn everyone to ashes!!! But suddenly, a revelation hit him. “Wait. EVERY sentient being, they say? As in EVERYONE is off vacationing? Even that blasted lemon ball..? That gives me an idea!” Betrayus chuckled as a sinister smile crawled up his face.
In the Roundhouse, Stratos sat face planted into his desk. “Oh, you don’t get a vacation weekend, they said… being president is too important of a job, they said…” the green orb grumbled. “Sometimes I wish I was somebody else…” Stratos turned his head, quietly staring at a picture on his desk of him and Sir C. Then, a spark of life reentered his eyes. The lab! Of course! He told him to keep an eye on it since even Fuzz and Grinder were going with him. Because of course he couldn’t go on a nice relaxing break, but the robot could. Did Grinder even count as a sentient being…?
Truthfully, they were going for a month long research trip that’s date just so happened to overlap the holiday, so he guessed it didn’t really matter. I mean, even so, he was valuable enough for him to be able to go off with the professor to some ancient ruins in the jungle. Bet they were having a great time right now. But nonetheless- he was incredibly bored and made a promise to check on the lab periodically, so off he went. “I wonder if there will be any cool inventions in there? Like a self-inflating pool, or perhaps a hologram that makes you believe you were teleported to wherever you desire. That could be fun.”
With everyone gone, it’s not like anyone would know he’d stepped out of the office for a bit. Stratos was a person with the need to relax too, so he found this whole situation unfair. The president walked down the courtyard path, taking in the sun and wishing he was at the beach. That was his first major trip as a kid. He and his family took an airplane to a tropical island and his favorite part was the beach. The memory was beautiful… he even remembered building a sand castle with the, at the time, one year old…….. Trayus. With Betrayus. Hmm. Maybe some memories were better left alone. Before long, Stratos had made it into the lab, closing the door behind him. The air was almost stagnant, and the main light above had a flicker. With that said though, the shear amount of interesting inventions piled up everywhere were equal parts scary and so, so tempting. Sir C had to have made SOMETHING for vacation fun, and Stratos was gonna find it.
Outside, Betrayus floated above the city. Practically nobody was there. It was a ghost town. An excited grin spread across his face realizing how perfect all this was. Now, last he’d heard, the repository was being placed with Sir C again. Thank slugcam 12 for that wonderful info. That’s why it got promoted. Spinning through the air, the phantom darted over to the Roundhouse office window and peered inside. Empty. Good… His brother must be gone too! How foolish of them to leave the repository completely and utterly unprotected like this. ABSOLUTE FOOLS! Betrayus swooped down to the courtyard, searching for some hidden switch or clue to where the lab was exactly. He knew it was somewhere around here thanks to some spies, but they had only seen it close behind the professor, not open. On top of that the information had been given a week ago, so he didn’t recall the exact detail on where. Utterly frustrating, but he figured he was smart enough to find it. At least, HE figured…
After a while of snooping, the flowerbed beneath him suddenly trembled. The ghost king’s eyes grew wide in terror, and he darted off into a bush to hide. He didn’t understand!! There wasn’t supposed to be anybody here! The flowerbed parted, revealing a secret, stone staircase that led downward into a dark abyss. Up it, came Stratos. Trayus hissed at the sight of him, backing further into the bush. The president jogged up the stairs and through the courtyard. “How is it possible that there’s not a bathroom down there?” he muttered. “Sir C stays down there for weeks at a time!”
The moment he was out of sight, disappearing into the Roundhouse, Betrayus darted down the stairs. The specter only JUST managed to make it in as the secret door slammed behind him. Once inside the laboratory, his ghostly jaw dropped. It was an absolute disaster! Things piled everywhere, inventions scattered about, and a half-eaten sandwich on the desk. It looked fresh though, so it was probably his brother’s lunch. But still! How was he supposed to find the repository in all this!!? Ugh… time to get to work.
10 minutes later, Stratos returned to the lab. He still had that tuna sandwich to finish. However, right as the president got to the bottom of the stairs, he froze. Not only was the other half of his sandwich gone, but the space was in more of a disaster than he left it! How was that even possible?! Just then, a clang echoed through the room, coming from behind a closed door. That was extra suspicious- seeing as how he distinctly remembered leaving that open. Slowly, Stratos moved towards the door, picking up a random blaster looking weapon from the pile. He had no idea what he was doing… He had no idea what he was doing… if anything, he was panicking. Anyone who saw what he was doing would call it a brave act, but it really wasn’t. If they looked close enough to see his shaking, they’d know that.
Trembling, Stratos leaned into the door, listening to the ruckus of metal being tossed around. Best case scenario, a rather large rat- worst case scenario- well, anything else if he was being completely honest with himself. With a deep breath, the president flung open the door and aimed the blaster forward. Betrayus pulled himself out of a closet and faced the foe, immediately panicking and letting out a scream. His brother did the same; freaking out and pulling the trigger on the blaster. The weapon fired, and the beam only JUST missed Trayus, ricocheting off the back wall and bouncing around the room like an erratic firefly. Finally, it hit a cardboard box, shrinking it to nothing. Absolutely horrified, Stratus through a weapon out of the room, then turned to his brother. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!!!”
Betrayus stayed back pushed to the wall for a moment longer before his terror gave way to bitterness. “YOU.” He spat. “What are YOU doing here?! You’re supposed to be gone on the stupid mandatory vacation!”
The president glared “I would if I could, but I’m not allowed to due to my position.”
The fire ghost huffed. “Oh, well that sucks I suppose, but…ah- NEVER MIND THAT!” Trayus lit his hand ablaze and used his spectral powers to slam and lock the door behind his brother. “TELL ME WHERE THE REPOSITORY IS HIDDEN!”
Stratos scrambled against the locked exit. “I don’t know!”
“Don’t play stupid with me, you overgrown tennis ball! I know that it’s in Sir C’s possession, so it MUST be in here! Tell me where it is!!!”
Stratos sunk to the ground, shaking and trying to shield himself with his arms. “NO! I really don’t know! Sir Cumference decided it’d be best not to tell even me this time!”
The Netherworld king snarled. “Oh, PATHETIC! The only reason to keep someone out of the loop in that way is if you're expecting them to blab. You know, with how little they trust you, it’s a miracle you’re still somehow in charge. But no matter… Information or not, you're still my prisoner! Pac and his friends are far away, and your panic button is in your office that you so foolishly left! No one is coming to save you!”
“And what exactly are you planning on doing to me then? You locked us both in this room!” Growled Stratos.
Betrayus floated there for a moment; seemingly pondering what the hell his next move actually was. Truthfully, he hadn’t thought this far ahead. “I… ah. I’ll…”
The phantom turned around to look for something he could build an on the spot plan with, but the moment he wasn’t looking, his brother grabbed the nearest invention and fired it at him. Trayus spun around just in time to see the action and hide behind a large machine. In retaliation, he peeked out of his hiding spot and launched a fireball. Stratos narrowly avoided the assault and shot again as the ghost darted elsewhere. The projectiles flew back and forth for several minutes, before finally, Stratos shot the weapon on full blast. The massive beam launched forward, but Betrayus blocked it with a sheet of scrap metal. The beam bounced right off the reflective surface and blasted Stratos directly in the face. The impact resulted in a blinding light and the puff of smoke that knocked both of them unconscious.
Betrayus groaned as he opened his awoke, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. “Wh- what happened??? Did I win??” His gaze fell to the section of the floor his brother was last, only to see nothing there but the busted weapon. “Stratos…?” He called out in suspicion.
No answer.
The Netherworld king frantically looked around then back to the spot. His brother was completely gone… vaporized. To be completely fair, he couldn't exactly tell if this was a victory or loss. Because on one hand he finally defeated his brother, but on the other, he had permanently defeated him… So what now??? Carefully picking up the broken blaster, Trayus examined it. “Interesting… I don't know what your intended purpose was exactly, but I suppose that’s one way to get Stratos out of the way?”
Just then, a clatter came from the pile behind him. The specter jumped, startling back. Slowly and groggily, a minty greenish blue ghost emerged from the scrap pile. Betrayus watched it straighten up and face him; frozen. “S- STRATOS?!”
The new ghost shook his head, holding it as if he had a headache. “Uhg. This is why mother always used to tell us not to roughhouse in the house…” the specter looked up at his younger brother, who was the most freaked out he’d seen him in a long time. “What?” Just then, as he lowered his hand from his head, he caught a glimpse of it and froze. They were gloved with ice claws and semi-transparent. Frantically, he spun around trying to look at himself from every angle as his panic surged.
The more Stratos seemed to lose it, the less frightened his brother became; instead gaining a sinister smile born of twisted excitement. “I… got you.” Betrayus snickered. “I DID IT! I WON!!!” The fire ghost shot up into the air, fists to the sky. “HA HA HA HA HA! I won and your life is ruined! I won and your life is ruined! I won and your life is ruined!” He chanted victoriously.
Stratos sunk to the floor, hyperventilating. “I can’t… I can’t be president like this!! There’s a no ghosts rule! They’ll kick me out of office!!! They.. they’ll have to send me to the Netherworld!!!”
Betrayus immediately stopped celebrating and froze. Wait… WHAT? The king spun around to face the other ghost. “They can’t send you to live with ME!? Screw the rules! They can keep you!”
The new specter shook his head. “I’m afraid neither of us have a say in this. Sir C won’t be back for another few weeks, so EVERYONE will find out I'm like this before that, and there’s a chance they won’t even believe I am who I say I am! Unless we can find a way to reverse this, I’ll be sent to the horrible Netherworld, with you, forever!”
The moment those words landed, Betrayus lit on fire and his ashes and eyes fell to the floor. They’d clearly hit him harder than expected. Trayus desperately tried to figure a way out this disaster, but only one thought really seemed logical. And that took a lot from him these days. They needed to get to Sir C. His invention did this, so he should know how to fix it. As much as he hated his brother, he hated the idea of having to live with him again, more. MUCH more. However… now that he really thought about the situation… Stratos was zapped and turned into a ghost. What they were trying to do, would essentially restore him back to his body. That gave him an idea.
Stratos seemed to land on the same plan about finding Sir Cumference directly after his sibling, and the look they shared confirmed it without words needing to be spoken. “Alright then,” started the president, “I find Sir C and get me back to normal.” He reached down for the broken blaster, but his hands fazed through every time. Frustrated and cursing under his breath, he kept attempting, but nothing changed. Finally, he looked up a Betrayus who was just floating there snickering at the futile attempts. “How do you pick stuff up like this?”
Betrayus shrugged.
The minty green ghost scowled, then went back to try another several times. To no avail. After watching him flounder around for 5 whole minutes, his brother finally rolled his eyes and picked it up with ease. “Uhg. How is it possible that you’re even THIS incompetent in death?”
Stratos growled. “Oh, shut up!” He snapped. Just then, a beam of ice shot out of his gloved hand and froze solid another invention. The two siblings floated there bewildered.
“Well.” Betrayus tilted his head. “You’re now more of a danger to society than you already were. Look at that.”